Shunga Empire

The Shunga Empire was an ancient Indian dynasty that ruled much of the northern and central Indian subcontinent from approximately 185 to 73 BCE, succeeding the Maurya Empire.

It was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga, a Brahmin general who assassinated the last Mauryan emperor, Brihadratha, during a military review and seized power, establishing his capital at Pataliputra (modern Patna) in Magadha. At its height the empire's authority extended over cities including Pataliputra, Ayodhya, and Vidisha, though it faced pressure from the Indo-Greeks to the northwest and ruled in a more decentralised fashion than its Mauryan predecessor. The Shunga period marked a significant revival of Brahmanism and orthodox Hindu ritual, with Pushyamitra reputedly performing the Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) to legitimise his rule and restoring animal sacrifices that had declined under Ashoka's Buddhist patronage. Despite traditions associating Pushyamitra with hostility toward Buddhism, the era was nonetheless culturally productive: the great stupas at Bharhut and Sanchi were expanded and adorned with elaborate sculpted railings and gateways, the grammarian Patanjali composed his Mahabhashya, and the Sanskrit language and the Mathura school of art flourished. The dynasty was succeeded by the Kanva dynasty after its last ruler, Devabhuti, was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva Kanva around 73 BCE.